Magistrate’s Court Hearings on Tortola and Virgin
The Magistrate’s Court in the British Virgin Islands has shifted all scheduled and future hearings on Tortola and Virgin Gorda to virtual proceedings via Zoom until further notice, the Office of the Deputy Governor announced on Oct. 29, 2025. The Deputy Governor’s Office later confirmed the change was made "as a security measure," but did not provide further details.
The Magistrate’s Court in the British Virgin Islands has moved all scheduled and future hearings on Tortola and Virgin Gorda to virtual proceedings using Zoom until further notice, the Office of the Deputy Governor said in a bulletin issued on Oct. 29, 2025 (source: JTV and VINO).
The bulletin advised members of the public and parties with upcoming hearings to contact the Magistracy directly to obtain the appropriate Zoom link and participation details. The Magistracy can be reached at 1-284-468-4360, and additional assistance is available through the Government Customer Service Care Centre at 1-284-468-3701 (source: JTV; VINO).
When this news centre reached out to the Deputy Governor’s Office for the reason behind the switch, Communications Officer II Eusa Z. Adams replied that "this step was taken as a security measure," according to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). Adams did not elaborate further when asked (source: VINO).
The Government of the Virgin Islands expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and thanked residents for their cooperation as the courts implement the operational change, the bulletin said (source: JTV; VINO). The Office of the Deputy Governor also said updates on the resumption of in-person hearings will be provided as they become available.
Court officials said the move is intended to maintain continuity of judicial services while ensuring accessibility for litigants, legal representatives and court staff during the transition to online operations (source: JTV). For residents, the shift to virtual hearings means parties, witnesses and counsel must ensure they have reliable internet access, a device capable of running Zoom, and a quiet space for proceedings.
Legal representatives have been advised to confirm arrangements with their clients and with the Magistracy well in advance of scheduled times. Self-represented litigants unfamiliar with video hearings were urged to contact the court or their legal aid provider to request guidance and practical help (source: JTV).
Officials also reminded residents with concerns about connectivity or those needing special accommodations to reach out to the Magistracy so the court can consider alternatives. The Government reiterated that further information about when in-person sittings will resume will be released as soon as a decision is made (source: JTV; VINO).
The shift follows a broader trend of courts worldwide adopting remote hearings when circumstances require, allowing the judicial system to continue operating while managing logistical or security concerns. The additional detail from the Deputy Governor’s Office identifying security as the reason for the move is the latest development in this unfolding operational change (source: VINO).
Anyone with questions about a scheduled hearing should contact the Magistracy at 1-284-468-4360 or the Customer Service Care Centre at 1-284-468-3701 for assistance and the correct Zoom access information.
Primary source: JTV